GIVE BACK THE RIGHT WAY
organization that helps the people and communities connected to your business is one of the best ways to show you care.
AGAINST THE ODDS
CHECK CREDENTIALS Good intentions only go so far. To really make your charity efforts count and ensure your donations are used appropriately, you need to do some research. Thankfully, organizations like the Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, and GuideStar.org keep data on IRS-registered charities, making it easy to see which groups are reputable. In general, you should look for organizations that have a great track record of transparency and make all of their financial information readily available. REMEMBER THE ‘WHY’ If you’re just looking for a tax write-off or good publicity, charity efforts are going to feel hollow and frustrating. More than anything, philanthropy should involve a cause your business is passionate about — no matter how big or small. Taking the time to remind yourself why you’ve chosen to support a particular cause will keep you from losing sight of what giving back is all about. 30-MINUTE CAULIFLOWER SOUP
Here at O2, we’re all about humility and hustle — two traits gym owner Sam Hook has in spades. Sam and his wife, Nicole, were told plenty of times they’d never be able to run their own CrossFit gym in their small town of Purcell, Oklahoma (population 6,436). And yet, as they approach their second year in operation, the owners of Salty Dog Athletics are proving the naysayers wrong — and having a blast doing it! The first surprising thing we learned is that Sam wasn’t just a latecomer to CrossFit — he wasn’t even really much of a gym guy. As he himself puts it, “I never really stuck to formal workouts. I was never in shape or anything.” Regardless of how he feels, the truth is that Sam was fit enough to serve in the Navy and shipped out for a tour in Afghanistan in 2010. It was during this tour that Sam had his first taste of CrossFit. “My roommate in Afghanistan was in decent shape, and I decided I needed to start doing something about my own health,” Sam reflects. “I had been struggling with high blood pressure and just getting older. I asked the guy if I could work out with him. Turns out he’d been doing CrossFit.” Sam found that this new workout routine made a big impact on his life. “When I got back to the states, I felt better than ever,” he remembers. “I wanted to keep doing this CrossFit thing.” Of course, Sam had all the demands of civilian life and fatherhood to take into account. “Between coaching Little League and my job, it was hard to get to the gym,” he explains with a laugh. Sticking to CrossFit was especially difficult because the nearest box was several towns away. But rather than give up, Sam decided to bring CrossFit into his home. “About three years ago, I got a CrossFit starter kit and began working out with my wife and sons in the garage,” Sam explains. “In our small community, people started noticing. Soon enough, friends were asking, ‘Hey, can I come work out with you?’” Slowly but surely, Sam’s homegrown following spilled out of his garage and onto his front lawn. Many of these friends and neighbors would ask Sam for advice during these group workout sessions, so the father of three decided to go out and get his CrossFit level 1 coaching certification. His wife, Nicole, would soon follow suit. Today, Salty Dog Athletics has outgrown the front lawn. The Hook family has built a 1000-foot workout facility in their backyard, with Sam and Nicole becoming full-time owners and coaches. When asked how he made this dream possible, Sam had this to say: “You can’t go into opening a gym for the money. Your heart’s got to be in the right place.” HOW SALTY DOG ATHLETICS DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE
This hearty soup is a quick, easy, healthy addition to your holiday table. It can also be made vegetarian by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 small head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and sliced • 1 leek, chopped • 1 medium onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 4 cups low-sodium chicken
broth or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter into warm oil. Add onion and leek, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, about 10–12 minutes. 2. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add cauliflower, broth, and cream. Simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. 3. Using a blender, purée in batches until smooth. 4. Top servings with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of pepper.
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